CVE-2024-39722 in Ollama
Summary
by MITRE • 10/31/2024
An issue was discovered in Ollama before 0.1.46. It exposes which files exist on the server on which it is deployed via path traversal in the api/push route.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-39722 represents a critical path traversal flaw in the Ollama platform prior to version 0.1.46. This issue manifests through the api/push route, where the application fails to properly validate file paths, allowing unauthorized access to the underlying file system. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and improper path handling within the server-side processing logic. Attackers can exploit this weakness to enumerate files and directories on the host system, potentially gaining insights into the server's structure and identifying sensitive files or directories that may contain confidential information.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-22 Path Traversal, which is classified as a common weakness in software development where applications fail to properly validate user-supplied input before using it to access files or directories. The flaw specifically affects the api/push endpoint, which should only accept legitimate model push requests but instead permits malicious path traversal attempts. This vulnerability enables attackers to perform directory traversal attacks, potentially accessing files outside the intended directory structure, including system configuration files, user data, or even sensitive authentication tokens that may be stored in accessible locations. The exposure occurs during normal operational procedures when users attempt to push model files, making the attack surface particularly concerning for production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it creates a significant attack vector for potential lateral movement within compromised systems. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain access to critical system files, configuration data, or even other users' data stored on the same server. The exposure of file system structure provides attackers with valuable reconnaissance information that can be used to plan more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation attempts or targeting of specific system components. This vulnerability particularly affects deployments where Ollama is used in multi-tenant environments or where it has access to sensitive data repositories, as it essentially removes the boundary protection that should exist between the application and the underlying file system. The vulnerability is especially concerning in cloud environments where such exposure could lead to data breaches or unauthorized access to other services running on the same infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching to version 0.1.46 or later, which includes proper input validation and path sanitization measures. Organizations should implement additional security controls such as restricting network access to the Ollama service, implementing proper firewall rules, and ensuring that the service runs with minimal required privileges. The implementation of proper input validation mechanisms and the use of secure coding practices that prevent path traversal attacks should be enforced throughout the application codebase. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file system access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments of their Ollama deployments, ensuring that the service is not running with elevated privileges and that proper access controls are in place to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of secure file handling and proper input validation in preventing information disclosure attacks that can lead to more severe security incidents.